We build MVPs for startups: from clickable prototypes to full-featured products. Web & mobile apps, SaaS platforms, marketplaces, AI products. Fast launch, iterative approach, investor-ready.
6 services · from $600
MVP development costs from $600 to $48,000. Clickable prototype — from $600 (1-2 weeks). Web app MVP — from $3,600 (1-3 months). Mobile app MVP — from $4,800. SaaS platform — from $6,000. Marketplace — from $7,200. AppStar has launched 40+ MVPs, 70% attracted investment.
We analyze the market, competitors, and target audience. Form hypotheses, define core features for V1. Create the product roadmap.
2
Design & Prototype
Create user flows, wireframes, and a clickable prototype in Figma. Test with real users, gather feedback. Iterate on the design.
3
MVP Development
2-week sprints. Daily updates, demo every sprint. We use a proven stack: React/React Native, Node.js, PostgreSQL. CI/CD from day one.
4
Launch & Iterations
Deploy to production, set up analytics, monitor metrics. Collect feedback from early users, plan next iterations. Help with investor pitch.
Return on Investment
Launch in 1-3 months instead of 6-12
Focusing on core features lets you reach the market 3-4x faster. The sooner the product reaches users, the sooner you get real feedback and adjust your strategy.
Save 60-70% of budget vs full product
An MVP costs 3-5x less than full-scale development. You invest the minimum, validate the hypothesis, and scale only what is confirmed by the market.
70% of MVPs attract investment
A working product with real metrics (MAU, retention, unit economics) is the best argument for investors. We help prepare the pitch deck and dashboard with key metrics.
FAQ
How much does MVP development cost?
MVP cost depends on complexity. Clickable prototype — from $600 (1-2 weeks). Web app MVP — from $3,600 (1-3 months). Mobile app — from $4,800. SaaS platform — from $6,000. Marketplace — from $7,200. MVP with AI features — from $6,000. We recommend starting with a prototype to validate the idea.
How long does it take to build an MVP?
Prototype — 1-3 weeks. Simple MVP (5-7 screens, basic functionality) — 4-8 weeks. Medium MVP (10-15 screens, integrations) — 8-16 weeks. Complex MVP (marketplace, SaaS with AI) — 16-24 weeks. We work in 2-week sprints — you see progress every 14 days and can adjust priorities.
Which is better: web or mobile first?
Depends on the product and audience. Web first suits: B2B SaaS, marketplaces, analytics platforms, productivity tools. Mobile first — for: social apps, delivery, fitness, geolocation services. Compromise: PWA (Progressive Web App) — works like a mobile app from the browser. We help choose the strategy at the Discovery stage.
What tech stack do you use?
Proven stack for rapid development: Frontend — React, Next.js, React Native (cross-platform). Backend — Node.js, Python (FastAPI). DB — PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis. Infrastructure — Docker, Kubernetes, AWS/GCP. AI — Python, PyTorch, LangChain, OpenAI API. We select the stack per task: for speed — no-code + React, for complex projects — microservices.
How do you help with attracting investment?
Comprehensive support: 1) Product metrics (MAU, DAU, retention, LTV, CAC) — we embed analytics from day one. 2) Pitch deck — we help structure the investor presentation. 3) Unit economics — we calculate product unit economics. 4) Technical due diligence — we prepare architecture documentation. 5) Demo — we set up a demo for investor presentations. 70% of our MVPs attracted investment.
What goes into an MVP? How to define scope?
MVP = minimum set of features to validate the key hypothesis. Methodology: 1) Define Jobs-to-be-Done — what problem the product solves. 2) Identify core features (usually 3-5). 3) Move nice-to-have to the backlog. 4) Create a user story map. Rule: if a feature can be removed and the product still solves the problem — remove it. We run a Product Discovery workshop to define scope.
When is it time to scale the MVP?
Signals for scaling: 1) Product-Market Fit — retention 40%+ on day 30 (for SaaS). 2) Organic user growth without marketing. 3) Repeat purchases / subscription renewals. 4) NPS > 40. 5) Positive unit economics (LTV > 3x CAC). Do not scale before PMF — this is a common startup mistake. We help determine PMF through metrics.
Do you work on a fixed price or Time & Material basis?
Both options: Fixed Price — for MVPs with a clear scope and spec. You know the final cost upfront. Suitable for prototypes and simple MVPs. Time & Material — for projects with changing requirements. Pay for actual time spent. Suitable for complex MVPs with iterative discovery. Hybrid — fixed price for Discovery + T&M for development. Recommended for most startups.
What happens after MVP launch?
After launch: 1) Monitoring — we track errors, performance, uptime. 2) Analytics — we monitor key metrics (MAU, retention, conversion). 3) Feedback collection — user interviews, behavior analysis. 4) Iterations — we prioritize features based on data, release updates every 2 weeks. 5) Growth — A/B tests, funnel optimization, scaling. Support — from $600/month.
Can no-code be used for an MVP?
Yes, for certain product types. No-code (Bubble, Webflow, Tilda) is suitable for: landing pages and marketing MVPs, simple CRUD apps, internal tools. Not suitable for: complex business logic, high loads, custom AI features, marketplaces with payments. Compromise: low-code (Supabase + React) — faster than custom, more flexible than no-code. We help choose the optimal approach.
How to protect a startup idea when working with a contractor?
Several measures: 1) NDA (non-disclosure agreement) — signed before discussing details. 2) Source code — transferred to your repository, belongs to you. 3) IP rights — all product and design rights transfer to you per contract. 4) Credentials — you own all accounts (hosting, domain, App Store). The idea itself is worth little — value is in execution. We focus on building the product, not copying ideas.
Do you develop cross-platform applications?
Yes. For MVPs we recommend React Native — one codebase for iOS and Android, saving 40-60% of budget compared to native development. React Native works for 90% of mobile MVPs. Native development (Swift, Kotlin) is needed for: AR/VR, complex animations, Bluetooth/NFC, resource-intensive computation. Alternative: Flutter — great for UI-intensive apps.
Is a technical specification required to start development?
No, not required. We help write the spec during the Discovery phase (1-2 weeks). What is needed to start: idea description (1-2 pages), understanding of the target audience, competitor examples (if any). During Discovery we create: user personas, user story map, wireframes, technical architecture, and a detailed spec. Discovery cost — from $1,200.
How do you work with remote teams?
Fully established remote process: daily standups (15 min), sprint demos every 2 weeks, Slack/Telegram for quick communication, Jira/Linear for tasks, Figma for design, GitHub for code. You get access to all tools and see progress in real-time. Time zone: UTC+3 (Moscow), flexible schedule for international clients.
Do you have MVP examples?
Yes, 40+ MVPs launched since 2015. Examples: SaaS for marketing automation — attracted $500K seed, reached 1,000+ users. Service marketplace — MVP in 3 months, now 5,000+ providers. Fintech app — MVP in 2 months, obtained banking license. AI platform for HR — MVP in 6 weeks, integrated with 10+ HR systems. Detailed case studies shared during consultation under NDA.